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US 12,385,521 B1Granted
Flexure assembly
AssigneeCAES Systems LLC
InventorsChristopher Newell, Bruce Edward Kaczmarek
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flexure assembly includes a first spiral flexure, a second spiral flexure, and a spacing element. The spacing element is positioned between the first spiral flexure and the second spiral flexure. The flexure assembly also includes a plurality of fasteners that collectively extend circumferentially around an axis defined by the flexure assembly. Each of the plurality of fasteners extends through the first spiral flexure and the second spiral flexure.
Claims18
A flexure assembly that defines an axis, wherein the axis defines an axial direction, a circumferential direction, and a radial direction, the flexure assembly comprising:
- a first spiral flexure that comprises an annular body comprising a central opening coaxial with the axis and a plurality of slots circumferentially-spaced about the axis and axially-extending therethrough;
- a second spiral flexure that comprises an annular body comprising a central opening coaxial with the axis and a plurality of slots circumferentially-spaced about the axis and axially-extending therethrough;
- a first spacing element positioned between the first spiral flexure and the second spiral flexure;
- a second spacing element positioned between the first spiral flexure and the second spiral flexure;
- a first plurality of fasteners circumferentially-spaced around the axis, wherein each of the first plurality of fasteners axially extends through radially inner portions of the first spiral flexure, the first spacing element, and radially inner portions of the second spiral flexure;
- a second plurality of fasteners circumferentially-spaced around the axis, wherein each of the second plurality of fasteners axially extends through radially outer portions of the first spiral flexure, the second spacing element, and radially outer portions of the second spiral flexure;
- a first plate;
- and
- a second plate,
- wherein the first spiral flexure, the first spacing element, the second spacing element, and the second spiral flexure are each positioned between the first plate and the second plate, and
- wherein each of the first plurality of fasteners extends through either the first plate or the second plate, but not both, and each of the second plurality of fasteners extends through the other of the first plate or the second plate, but not both.
8 more elements
A gimbal assembly comprising:
- a yoke assembly;
- a payload assembly that is rotatably coupled to the yoke assembly;
- and
- a flexure assembly positioned between the payload assembly and the yoke assembly, wherein the flexure assembly defines an axis, wherein the axis defines an axial direction, a circumferential direction, and a radial direction, the flexure assembly comprising:
- a first spiral flexure that comprises an annular body comprising a central opening coaxial with the axis and a plurality of slots circumferentially-spaced about the axis and axially-extending therethrough;
- a second spiral flexure that comprises an annular body comprising a central opening coaxial with the axis and a plurality of slots circumferentially-spaced about the axis and axially-extending therethrough;
- a first spacing element positioned between the first spiral flexure and the second spiral flexure;
- a second spacing element positioned between the first spiral flexure and the second spiral flexure;
- a first plurality of fasteners circumferentially-spaced around the axis, wherein each of the first plurality of fasteners axially extends through radially inner portions of the first spiral flexure, the first spacing element, and radially inner portions of the second spiral flexure;
- a second plurality of fasteners circumferentially-spaced around the axis, wherein each of the second plurality of fasteners axially extends through radially outer portions of the first spiral flexure, the second spacing element, and radially outer portions of the second spiral flexure;
- a first plate;
- and
- a second plate,
- wherein the first spiral flexure, the first spacing element, the second spacing element, and the second spiral flexure are each positioned between the first plate and the second plate, and
- wherein each of the first plurality of fasteners extends through either the first plate or the second plate, but not both, and each of the second plurality of fasteners extends through the other of the first plate or the second plate, but not both.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.